Artemisia adds a silver touch to landscapes |
There are over 300 species of Artemisia (Ahr-tuh-MIZ-ee-uh);
each one has its own special features from height, leaf shape or color to
aromas that range from clean and refreshing to acrid and repugnant. They are
used for landscaping, cooking, and crafting. Their oils are used as insect
repellents, perfume additives and are important ingredients in malaria
medicines.
Artemisia species have a wide variety of heights and leaf
textures, offering a range of landscape choices from borders to background
plants. Artemisia plants can be as small as Silver Brocade (A. stelleriana), often called Dusty
Miller, at six inches or as tall as Sweet Annie (A. annua) often reaching six feet. The silver, grey and green
colors provide good backdrops to the more colorful plants in the garden.
While each species has its own growing requirements, most
are perennials, hardy as far north as zone 4, prefer sun or partial sun
exposure and like well-drained soil.The culinary favorite, French Tarragon, is an artemisia |
Silver King (A.
ludoviciana) and Powis Castle (A.
arborescens ) are usually the silver color in many dried wreaths and flower
arrangements. They are easy to dry and go with any color palette.
Silver King artemisia provides a background that shows off colors |
Sweet Annie provides a yellow-green leaf and small yellow
flowers and is also good for dried crafting. For some, this herb has a pleasant
fragrance but not for others. This plant was used historically as a medicine
but it can produce allergic reactions, rashes and congestion in some
individuals just by handling the plants.
Flowers of Sweet Annie artemisia |
Approved by the Federal Drug Administration and recommended
by the Centers for Disease Control, the component artemisinin found in Artemisia annua (Sweet Annie is used for
treatment of malaria, most often in combination with other drugs. This has been
found to be as effective as quinine.
Are you interested in Artemisia plants? The Master Gardener
plant sale on May 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. will feature both Silver King and
Silver Mound plants as well as a variety of other plants grown and donated by
members.
Also check out the The Herb Society of America (HSA) Notable
Native Herb for 2014 - Redring Milkweed (Asclepias variegate), our Blog entry on this plant, and the Master Gardener’s Redring MilkweedProject.Masters Gardeners, Penn State Extension, Franklin County have presentations, events and workshops throughout the year. To be added to the e-mail event schedule list, please email lac19@psu.edu or call 717-263-9226.
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